General Knowledge and IT Questions 043

1. It is an interpretation that the logo represents a building surrounded by four boundary walls leaving spaces on each side. It has a meaning that the bank will help people in building their dream homes focusing completely on the housing sector.

Which financial institution are we talking about?



Answer: Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC)

2. Kraft durch Freude (KdF) meaning strength through joy was a German leisure organization, organizing tourist trips and resorts in Nazi Germany which soon became the world’s largest tourism operator in the 1930’s.

An idea for a new product had been conceptualised by KdF in the 1930’s whose aim had been for a small car that could carry a German family of five. To buy one, people had to join a special savings scheme run by the organisation.

However the product couldn’t materialize due to WW2. After the war, it became a symbol of Germany worldwide. What are we talking about?



Answer: Volkswagen Beetle

3. Connect the following companies to a recent announcement.

Answer: Internet on the Moon

4. Below is the coat of arms of which company whose motto means Step by Step, Ferociously? The name of the company itself refers to the point of origin of the company.

Answer: Blue Origin

5. While at college, co-founder Marc Ewing was given the Cornell lacrosse team cap by his grandfather. People would often turn to him to solve their problems and was referred to as ‘that guy in the ___ ___’.  By the time he wrote the manual for the beta version of X he had lost his ___ ___ and hence included an appeal in the manual to return his ___ ___ if found, which later became the name of the company itself.

Fill in the blanks which is the company we are talking about.

Answer: Red Hat Inc.

General Knowledge and IT Questions 042

1. It is a computer operating system based on the Debian distribution of Linux and distributed as free and open source software. It is named after the Southern African philosophy of “humanity towards others”. It is sponsored by the UK-based company Canonical Ltd., owned by South African entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth. What are we talking about?


Answer: Ubuntu


2. This creation by E.A. Johnson has given a total new dimension to the gadgets of today. What did he invent?


Answer: Touch Screen




3. Head quarters of Sun Microsystems (Now a Subsidiary of ORACLE Corp.) in Menlo Park, California, is going to be used by another IT giant which caused a complete revolution in the way people communicate. Which IT giant are we talking about?

Answer: Facebook

4. To prove/confirm something , the students/members of MIT conducted an experiment, where they showed that the specific gravity of specimen X is greater than the specific gravity of specimen Y . They hence showed that this was correct.

Answer: They scientifically proved the proverb - "Blood is thicker than water".

5. "I'm really happy to reach 80. I never expected it, not least having a neighbour – the greatest power in the world – trying to kill me every day." Who said these lines? CLUE: He was the longest-ruling non-royal leader. 

Answer: Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz (He is a Cuban revolutionary and politician, having held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976, and then President from 1976 to 2008. His term length was of 47 years, 165 days.)

6. Identify the lady below. She has been called "the world's longest hunger striker" for fasting for over 10 years; she is also called the "Iron Lady of Manipur".

Answer: Irom Sharmila Chanu (She has been on hunger strike to demand that the Indian government repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958)

7. Something that we use everyday is named after Harold _______ 2 , a 9th century Viking King. What are we talking about?

Answer: Bluetooth

8. Which brand is being advertised in the below ad?

 Answer: Pantene

9. Identify the lady below. She founded which modern day holiday?

Answer: She is Anna Jarvis, she is credited for having founded Mother's Day in USA. She first celebrated it in 1908 as she held a memorial for her mother

10.  This structure is the longest cemetery in the world. It is also known as “Wan Li Chang Cheng” in its country. Which structure are we talking about? 

Answer: The Great Wall of China (It is known as the longest cemetery in the world because lakhs of commoners died while constructing the Wall and their bodies got buried under the Wall. Wan Li Chang Cheng in China, means ‘Ten Thousand Li Wall’)

General Knowledge Questions 041

1. The name of this sportswear company comes from the Afrikaans spelling of a type of African antelope or gazelle.  It is a subsidiary of the German sportswear company Adidas. Which company are we talking about? 


Answer: Reebok


2. Identify the breed of the dog from the picture below and state it's specialty.

    Answer: It's the Basenji Dog. It is the only dog which can not bark due to the shape of it's larynx and hence makes a yodel-like sound. It is also nicknamed as the "Barkless Dog".


3. It was known as Moksha Patam or Vaikunthapaali or Paramapada Sopaanam.  The game was popular in ancient India and emphasized the role of fate or karma. Presumably the number "100" represented Moksha (salvation). What are we talking about?


    Answer: Snakes and Ladders / Chutes and Ladders


4. What is being displayed in the below patent diagram and who filed this patent?

    Answer: The above diagrams are of the first Mouse as the part of the patent filed by its inventor Douglas Engelbart.


5. Name the ship in the below picture and what is special about it?

    
    Answer: USS New York LPD-21. It has been made out of the steel from the remains of the World Trade Center.

General Knowledge Questions 040

1. Yes Madam, Sir, is nonfiction feature film which has been produced by Australian film maker, Megan Doneman. On whose life is this movie based upon? He/ She had been awarded Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1994 and a UN Medal in 2004.

    Answer: Kiran Bedi

2. What is being displayed in the below picture (edited)?

    

    Answer: This is the last menu of the last meal served to first-class passengers on board the Titanic which has fetched 76,000 pounds at an auction held recently. The original photo below.

3. What is the significance of the Google doodle below?

    Answer: It is to mark the 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day in 2011.

4. Identify this Google Product.

    Answer: Gmail Tap (https://mail.google.com/mail/help/promos/tap/index.html - It's a prank played by Google on the occasion of April Fool's Day)

5. Hirsz, Aaron, Szmul, Itzhak are better known as?

     Answer: Warner Bros. (Harry was born "Hirsz," Albert was "Aaron," Sam was "Szmul," and Jack was "Itzhak." Their original surname is also unknown.)

General Knowledge Questions 039

1. Identify the person below.

    Answer: Momofuku Ando (He founded Nissin Food Products Co. Ltd. and also is credited for the invention of instant noodles and cup noodles.)

2. This is the back side of which rare coin? And why have these coins been issued? It contains 50 % of Silver and sized at 44 millimeters. It was released by the Finance Minister before the 2012 Budget Speech.

    Answer: 150 Rs. Coin. 200 such coins have been issued to mark 150 years of India's Income Tax Department. On the right is Chanakya who laid the principles of good Governance through his book 'Arthashastra'. On the left is a honey bee sucking nectar out of the lotus plant signifying, governments should collect taxes like a honeybee, which sucks just the right amount of nectar from the flower (Lotus, which is our national flower), so that both of them can survive.


3. What is special about this edition of Monopoly?

    Answer: It is the Braille Edition of Monopoly


4.  India: Bharat Ratna :: United States: _______________? 


    Answer: Congressional Gold Medal/ Presidential Medal of Freedom (Both of them share the same status of highest civilian award according to the rankings in the order of Civilian Awards in US)


5. This term is derived from the Latin prefix, which means "in place of" and French term which means king. Which word are we talking about?

   Answer: Viceroy (Latin prefix vice- and French roi)

General Knowledge 038

1. Identify the person below.

    Answer: Akira Yoshizawa (Today's Google Doodle is dedicated to him. He is considered the master of Origami. He is credited to have raised the craft to a living art.)

2. Identify the device below.

    Answer: It is the "Airdrop". (It is a simple device which literally sucks out water from thin air and through a network of piping underground condenses the air to water droplets. Irrigation through this method called Airdrop Irrigation.) (For more information: http://www.jamesdysonaward.org/Projects/Project.aspx?ID=1722)

3.

    Answer: Air India (The first logo is of "Indian" formerly known as "Indian Airlines", the second logo is the old logo of "Air India". The two airlines officially merged in 2011, and the resultant company retained the latter's name and hence we see the current logo of Air India has an adaptation from both of the above logos. [Pictured below].)

4. Below is the Google doodle celebrating the 80th Anniversary of which Indian movie and what is special about this movie?

    Answer: The Movie being depicted is "Alam Ara". It was the first Indian Movie with sound. (Today marks its 81st Anniversary.)

5. Which famous company's logo do you see below?

    Answer: Encyclopedia Britannica (It has announced that it will stop producing the print edition.)

General Knowledge and Technology 037

1. Identify the structure below. It was built by David Jin, an entrepreneur from Las Vegas with the help of architect Mark Ross Johnson.

    Answer: Grand Canyon "Skywalk"

2. What is special about this stamp?

    Answer: It is India's first ever perfumed postage stamp. It gives out sandalwood fragrance every time it is rubbed.

3. Identify the robot below and mention its purpose.

    Answer: It is called "The Battlefield Extradition Assist Robot" or simply "BEAR". It is developed by Vecna Technologies for the US Army. It's main purpose is to carry out the injured soldiers away from the battlefield so that they can be given medical attention, and also to perform some other tasks considered dangerous for humans in the battlefield.

4. What is special about these shoes?

    Answer: Developed by Electrolux it is called "Dustmate". The shoes vacuum as you walk around, the base of the shoe collects the dust without requiring any effort.

5. Identify the person below.

    Answer: Joseph Kony (He is a Ugandan guerrilla group leader, head of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). He recently caught fame due to the 27 minute documentary titled "Kony 2012" by film maker Jason Russell.)

General Knowledge 036

1. Identify the roller coaster below and what record does it hold?

   Answer: Formula Rossa (It is the world's fastest roller coaster located at Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. with a top speed of 240 km/h.)

2. This is sometimes referred to as the "flying bicycle" because it was designed and invented by a French engineer and bicycle manufacturer in the year, 1907. What are we talking about?

   Answer: Helicopter (French inventor Paul Cornu designed and built a Cornu helicopter which lifted its inventor to 1 foot (0.3 m) and remained aloft for 20 seconds.  It was reported to be the first truly free flight with a pilot.)

3. What is being displayed in the picture below?

   Answer: This is the picture of the base of the Leaning Tower of Pisa where tonnes of lead counterweights are placed in order to stabilize the tilt of the Tower.

4. Below is the picture of the official mascot of a very famous game. The official mascot was initially known as Rich Uncle Pennybags but later was rechristened in 1998 by the game producing company to Mr. _________. Which game are we talking about?

   Answer: Monopoly, the mascot was renamed to Mr. Monopoly in 1998 by the board game company, Hasbro.

5. X was originally founded as the Tata Airlines in 1932, a division of Tata Sons by J.R.D. Tata before being bought by Y in the year 1953. Identify X and Y.

   Answer: X - Air India 
                  Y - Government of India

General Knowlede 035

1. What was was founded by the Portuguese as São Sebastião __ ___ __ ______ on 29th February, 1565?


    Answer: Rio de Janeiro (It was founded as São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro means the "River of January" )


2. Identify the structure below, which was completed on 29th February, 2012 and what feat does it hold?

   Answer: Tokyo Sky Tree earlier known as the "New Tokyo Tower" is the tallest tower in the world. It is is a broadcasting, restaurant, and observation tower in Sumida, Tokyo, Japan. With the height of 634 metres (2080 ft) it is the second tallest structure in the world, only behind Burj Khalifa)


3. Identify the person below.

  Answer: Gioachino Rossini (A tendency for inspired, song-like melodies is evident throughout his scores, which led to the nickname "The Italian Mozart". Until his retirement in 1829, Rossini had been the most popular opera composer in history. His birth anniversary was marked by a Google Doodle (Pictured Below) dedicated to him yesterday (29th February, 2012)

4. Which Indian state does “Utkala” in our National Anthem, refer to?

   Answer: Orissa

5. Identify the four men below.

   Answer: Warner Brothers (Harry, Jack, Sam and Albert (Clockwise))

General Knowledge - 26th January Republic Day

1. This note is a type of fantasy money issued in India as a means of helping to fight systemic political corruption. The notes are paid in protest by angry citizens to government functionaries who solicit bribes in return for services which are supposed to be free. What are these notes called?

    Answer: Zero Rupee Note

2. It was previously known as Anniversary Day, Foundation Day, and ANA Day. It is the official national day of the country. Which day are we talking about?

   Answer: Australia Day (Celebrated every year on 26th January)

3. Identify the person below.

    Answer: Pingali Venkayya (Designer of India's national flag.)

4. Identify the woman below. She is the first female in her country to hold the post she holds presently. She came to India as the Chief Guest for the Republic Day Function. Who is she?

    Answer: Yingluck Shinawatra (She is the first female Prime Minister of Thailand and also the youngest at the age of 44 in over 60 years.)

5. This ceremony is conducted on January 29th ever year at Raisina Hills and an adjacent square, Vijay Chowk, with the President of India as its Chief Guest. Which ceremony are we talking about?

  Answer: Beating Retreat (It officially denotes the end of Republic Day festivities)

DID YOU KNOW?


On August 29, 1947, the Drafting Committee was appointed to draft a permanent constitution, with Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar as its Chairman.

General Knowledge 034

1. Identify and name. What extraordinary record does it hold?

   Answer: Sunswift Ivy (It is the fastest solar car which recently recorded a speed of 88 km/hr.)

2. Below is a picture of a very famous ad campaign. Identify this mascot and the service which uses them.

    Answer: United States Forest Service. The mascot is "Smokey Bear" famous for the ad campaign to educated people about the dangers of forest fires.

3. Below is the ad of which non profit institution?

    Answer: National Geographic Kids(The ad suggests that the channel can be watched by parents and their kids together.)

4. Identify the girl below and what record does she hold?

   Answer: Laura Dekker (She is youngest person to sail solo around the globe.)

5. What is being signified in the below doodle?

    Answer: Chinese New Year or the "Spring Festival" which was celebrated yesterday (23rd January, 2012).

DID YOU KNOW?


Sir Isaac Newton was an ordained priest in the Church of England.

General Knowledge Questions 033

1. "Ittefaq, Etemad, Qurbani" was a slogan coined by which famous Indian?

     Answer: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose (Today marks his 115th Birth Anniversary)


2. Name the woman below and why is she famous?

     Answer: Graca Machel (She is the only woman in the world to have been first lady of two different 

countries (not at the same time). She was the wife of late Mozambican president Samora Machel (11 November 1975 - 19 October 1986) and then after his death she got married to Former South African President Nelson Mandela (18 July 1998 – present) during his reign of Presidency.)

3. In which sport would you use the sand iron/sand wedge in?


    Answer: Golf


4. What's the funda behind this picture below?

    Answer: Its the only place in the world where McDonald uses non-yellow arches. (In Arizona, yellow arches were not allowed as they would poorly contrasts the red soil, hence McDonald suggested the color turquoise and hence the picture.)

5. Named after a horse, this popular confectionery item was sold and marketed under the name "Marathon" in the UK and Ireland until 1990. What am I talking about?

    Answer: Snickers


DID YOU KNOW?


The word "checkmate" in chess comes from the Persian phrase "Shah-Mat," which means the king is dead.

General Knowledge and Technology 032

1. What does this traffic sign pictured below, in Dresden, East Germany signify?

   Answer: It stands for "NO ENTRY"

2. Hard disks when impregnated with X can increase the amount of data that can be held by the disk by almost six times. Name the substance X.

    Answer: Table Salt (NaCl).

    (For more information on this: http://www.geekosystem.com/salty-terabits/)

3. Name the two people below, with each of them holding their own inventions in the picture.

    Answer: (Left) Eastman Kodak, (Right) Thomas Alva Edison (George Eastman Co. founder of Kodak, and Thomas Edison are seen with their inventions in the 1920s. Edison invented the motion picture equipments and Kodak invented the roll film and the camera box, which helped to create the whole of movie industry.)

4. Name the watch and what is so special about this watch?

   Answer: Titanic DNA Watch (The metal frames of the watch is actually made of the metal in the hull of the ship Titanic.)

5. It is called Rashin Coatie in Scotland, Zezolla in Italy, and Yeh-hsien in China. Who are we talking about?

    Answer: Cinderella

DID YOU KNOW?

The colour blue has a calming effect. It causes the brain to release calming hormones.

General Knowledge 031

1. As technology Advisor to the Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi in the 1984s, He heralded the telecom revolution in India. He has served as Chairman of the National Knowledge Commission (2005–2008). He is currently Advisor to the Prime Minister of India on Public Information Infrastructure & Innovations. Who are we talking about?
 

    Answer: Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda popularly known as Sam Pitroda.

2. It was formulated at the Eagle Drug and Chemical Company, a drugstore in Columbus, Georgia, by John Pemberton. The first sales were at Jacob's Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 8, 1886. It was initially sold as a patent medicine for five cents. 

What are we talking about?

    Answer: Coca Cola

3. This was the first logo of which company?

    Answer: Renault

4. Who holds the second highest batting average of 71.64 in 1st class cricket, behind only Don Bradman?

 

     Answer: Vijay Merchant

5. What is being displayed in the pictures and why?

     

     Answer: The pictures show Google and Wikipedia blacking out on January 18th in protest against the SOPA and PIPA bills which are to be tabled in the US Parliament.

DID YOU KNOW?

Lachanophobia is the fear of vegetables.